Reflection Paper: Decolonization and Archives

PLO #3: Analyze and engage in the changing cultural, educational and social roles and responsibilities of librarians/information professionals and the environments they work in within the global society.

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Competencies for Special Collections Professionals  III.E.3:  Leverages knowledge of ethical, human resources, financial, and legal considerations to effectively lead special collections activities.

This assignment, completed for LIS 60652: Foundations of Recordkeeping, examines the ethical considerations and responsibilities nations, archives, and archivists have related to culturally sensitive records with disputed cultural ownership, due to the changing understanding surrounding rightful ownership of cultural materials. Taking into account the Society of American Archivists-approved Protocols for Native American Archival Materials, this paper recommends culturally-informed digital repatriation of culturally sensitive materials as a step in the right direction, but concludes that only full, physical repatriation can truly restore the principle of sovereignty to the cultural owners, due to the symbolic power archival records have held throughout history.